Universal thermoelectric module apparatus

ABSTRACT

Universal Thermoelectric Module Apparatus with a thermoelectric heat pump assembly, an air circulation system, a structural plate, and an insulated interface. A preferred embodiment includes the thermoelectric heat pump assembly having a hot side and a cold side having a finned heat sink, a thermoelectric chip, a cold block, and a finned cold sink A preferred embodiment includes the heat think, thermoelectric chip, cold block, and finned cold sink arranged and secured together in a vertical assembly

Cross Reference to Related Applications

Not Applicable

Statement Regarding Federally Sponsored Research or Development

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Description of Attached Appendix

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Background of the Invention

This invention relates generally to the field of thermoelectric coolersand more specifically to a Universal Thermoelectric Module Apparatus.There are different types of consumer portable coolers on the markettoday, utilizing a variety of cooling technology. Some use passivecooling, such as ice coolers, some use active cooling such ascompressor-based coolers or heat pumps type coolers. A common low-costheat pump cooler today often uses thermoelectric technology as thecooling engine.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,319,937 to Fritsch discloses a consumer portable coolerutilizing a thermoelectric heat pump, also commonly known in thisindustry as a thermoelectric module. A thermoelectric module is a heatpump transferring heat from the inside of the cooler to the surroundingenvironment. A thermoelectric module generally consists of a cold sideexposed to the inside of the cooler and a hot side exposed to thesurrounding environment. A thermoelectric chip sandwiched between thecold side and the hot side provides the active mean of transferring heatfrom the cold side to the hot side.

There are many different commercial embodiments of thermoelectriccoolers on the market today. Each have their own set of specificationsand characteristics. As described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,319,937 to Fritsch,the invention discloses a thermoelectric cooler with a uniqueventilation system. Such ventilation system is custom-made for thiscooler and is an integral part of the cooler. Another prior art asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,073,789 to Lundblade also discloses athermoelectric cooler with an integral thermoelectric module. In theinventions above, the thermoelectric module is an integral part of thecooler, the thermoelectric module is specifically designed to fit onlythis one cooler, repair or maintenance of the thermoelectric modulerequires extensive handling and disassembling.

Other inventions such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,508 to Kahl or U.S. Pat.No. 6,301,901 B1 to Coffee describe a thermoelectric cooler using athermoelectric module where the thermoelectric module assembly is anintegral one-piece engine that can be installed rapidly withoutcomplicated assembly. Such inventions improves the cooler's assemblyprocess, however, each cooler design still utilizes a custom-designedthermoelectric module. Furthermore, such designs require the use of amounting hardware between the thermoelectric module and the coolerincreasing assembly labor and compromising good thermal insulationproperties.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is to provide a one-piecethermoelectric heat pump assembly.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ready to use one-piecethermoelectric heat pump assembly.

Another object of the invention is to provide a one-piece thermoelectricheat pump assembly with a one-step installation process.

A further object of the invention is to provide a one-piecethermoelectric heat pump assembly easy to replace.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a cross-compatibleone-piece thermoelectric heat pump assembly.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, anembodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there isdisclosed Universal Thermoelectric Module Apparatus comprising: athermoelectric heat pump assembly, an air circulation system, astructural plate, and an insulated interface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and includeexemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in variousforms. It is to. be understood that in some instances various aspects ofthe invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate anunderstanding of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial exploded view of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross sectional view of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein.It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may beembodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed hereinare not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for theclaims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the artto employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailedsystem, structure or manner. Turning first to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 there isshown a perspective view of the present invention 10. FIG. 1 displaysthe hot side of the invention and FIG. 2 displays the cold side of thepresent invention. There is shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 the insulatedinterface 20 and structural plate 30. FIG. 1 reveals the hot sidevisible portion of the thermoelectric heat pump assembly 40 with thefinned heat sink 41 visible. FIG. 2 reveals the cold side visibleportion of the thermoelectric heat pump assembly 40 with the finned colssink 42 visible. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 also reveal the air circulationsystem 60 composed of an electric rotor system 61 visible in FIG. 1 anda fan blade system where in this preferred embodiment there is shown inFIG. 1 the hot side fan blade 62 and shown in FIG. 2 the cold side fanblade 63.

Now turning to FIG. 3, there is shown an exploded view of the presentinvention 10. FIG. 3 reveals the elements of the thermoelectric heatpump assembly 40 such as the finned heat sink 11 and finned cold sink42. Finned heat sink 41 and finned cold sink 42 sandwich in between themthe thermoelectric chip 43 and cold block 44. As in any thermoelectricmodules, the thermoelectric chip 43 provides the heat transfer abilityto the thermoelectric heat pump assembly 40, the cold block 44 providesphysical distance between the hot side and cold side of thethermoelectric heat pump assembly 40, finned heat sink 41 allowsthermoelectric heat pump assembly 40 to radiate heat while finned coldsink 42 allows thermoelectric assembly 40 to absorb heat. Also shown inFIG. 3 is the insulated interface 20, structural plate 30 and the aircirculation system 60 composed of electric rotor system 61 and fan bladesystem hot side fan blade 62 and cold side fan blade 63.

In accordance with an important claim of this invention there is shownin FIG. 3 the finned heat sink 41, thermoelectric chip 43, cold block 44and finned cold sink 42 arranged in a vertical assembly and securedtogether to structural plate 30 using fasteners 101 and 102. Inaccordance with another important claim of this invention aircirculation system 60 composed of hot side fan blade 62, electric rotorsystem 61, and cold side fan blade 63 fastens to structural plate 30using fasteners 103 and 104. Gasket 105 and gasket 106 provide thermaland noise insulation between structural plate 30 and other parts of theinvention.

Also in accordance with important claims of the present invention 10,FIG. 3 shows insulated interface 30. Insulated. interface 30 is made ofsemi-rigid insulated material such as insulation grade expandedpolystyrene or other similar materials. Insulated interface 30 is ofgenerally quadrilateral shape and thermally insulates the cold side fromthe hot side of the thermoelectric heat pump assembly 40.

Lastly, as shown in FIG. 3, structural plate 30 fastens thermoelectricheat pump assembly 40 and air circulation system 60 in a generallylongitudinal relationship enabling continuous motions of air acrossfinned heat sink 41 and finned cold sink 42.

Now turning to FIG. 4 there is shown an exploded assembly view of thepresent invention 10 assembled with an insulated vessel 70 and acosmetic outside cover 80. Invention 10 fits within cavity 71 ofinsulated vessel 70. In accordance with an important claim of thepresent invention insulated interface 20 has perimeter compressiblesurface features 21.

FIG. 5 shows the present invention 10 assembled in insulated vessel 70viewed from the hot side.

FIG. 6 shows the present invention 10 assembled in insulated vessel 70viewed from the cold side.

FIG. 7 Shows a partial section view of the present invention 10assembled in insulated vessel 70, showing insulated interface 20 fittingwithin cavity 71 and where insulated interface 20 perimeter compressiblesurface features 21 form a dissengageable friction and thermal bond withcavity 71 of insulated vessel 70. FIG. 8 shows a sectional view of thepresent invention 10 installed in insulated vessel 70 where it shows adissengageable tight compressed fit between insulated interface 20 atthe physical junction between perimeter compressible features 21 andcavity 71.

In conclusion, and in accordance with the claims of the presentinvention, this specification discloses a Universal ThermoelectricModule Apparatus that is a one-piece thermoelectric heat pump assemblyand than can be installed or removed without the use of tools orfasteners with an insulated vessel where the insulated vessels physicalcharacteristics and application can change, the same invention can fitin a wide varieties of applications.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferredembodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention tothe particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended tocover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may beincluded within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims.

1. Universal Thermoelectric Module Apparatus comprising: a thermoelectric heat pump assembly; an air circulation system; a structural plate; and an insulated interface.
 2. Universal Thermoelectric Module Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said thermoelectric heat pump assembly having a hot side and a cold side comprises a finned heat sink, a thermoelectric chip, a cold block, and a finned cold sink
 3. Universal Thermoelectric Module Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said heat think, thermoelectric chip, cold block, and finned cold sink are arranged and secured together in a vertical assembly
 4. Universal Thermoelectric Module Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said air circulation system comprises an electric rotor system coupled with a fan blade system
 5. Universal Thermoelectric Module Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said air circulation system creates continuous motions of air
 6. Universal Thermoelectric Module Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said structural plate fastens said thermoelectric heat pump assembly and said air circulation system in a generally longitudinal relationship enabling said continuous motions of air respectively across said finned heat sink and said finned cold sink.
 7. Universal Thermoelectric Module Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said insulated interface is a semi-rigid insulating material having a generally quadrilateral shape
 8. Universal Thermoelectric Module Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 where said insulated interface thermally insulates said hot side and said cold side of said thermoelectric heat pump assembly
 9. Universal Thermoelectric Module Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said insulated interface further comprises perimeter compressible surface features where said perimeter compressible surface features form a dissengageable friction and thermal bond with an insulated vessel 